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Abdelrahman MH, Shen J, Fisher NC, Losert W, Fourkas JT. Assessing the stability of azopolymer nanotopography during live-cell fluorescence imaging. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1409735. [PMID: 39193229 PMCID: PMC11347283 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1409735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Photomodifiable azopolymer nanotopographies represent a powerful means of assessing how cells respond to rapid changes in the local microenvironment. However, previous studies have suggested that azopolymers are readily photomodified under typical fluorescence imaging conditions over much of the visible spectrum. Here we assess the stability of azopolymer nanoridges under 1-photon and 2-photon imaging over a broad range of wavelengths. Methods Azopolymer nanoridges were created via microtransfer molding of master structures that were created using interference lithography. The effects of exposure to a broad range of wavelengths of light polarized parallel to the ridges were assessed on both a spinning-disk confocal microscope and a 2-photon fluorescence microscope. Experiments with live Dictyostelium discoideum cells were also performed using alternating cycles of 514-nm light for photomodification and 561-nm light for fluorescence imaging. Results and Discussion We find that for both 1-photon and 2-photon imaging, only a limited range of wavelengths of light leads to photomodification of the azopolymer nanotopography. These results indicate that nondestructive 1-photon and 2-photon fluorescence imaging can be performed over a considerably broader range of wavelengths than would be suggested by previous research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona H. Abdelrahman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Jerry Shen
- Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Nicholas C. Fisher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - John T. Fourkas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
- Maryland Quantum Materials Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
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2
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Saphiannikova M, Toshchevikov V, Tverdokhleb N. Optical deformations of azobenzene polymers: orientation approach vs. other concepts. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:2688-2710. [PMID: 38465418 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00104d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
It has been 30 years since the discovery of surface restructuring in thin azopolymer films by two independent research groups. A wide variety of topographical structures have been created by the application of two-/four-beam interference patterns, space light modulators and even helical beams. There are a number of comprehensive reviews which describe in detail the advances in superficial photopatterning of azopolymer films and macroscopic deformations of azonetworks. The theoretical approaches are only briefly touched on in these reviews and often are accompanied by the remark that the phenomenon is far from being understood. In this review, we would like to present the polymer theoretist's point of view on this intriguing problem. We begin by describing a multitude of theoretical approaches and commenting on the pluses and drawbacks of each. Importantly, we show that in most cases the presence of an azopolymer matrix is either ignored or limited to a specific class of azopolymers (liquid-crystalline or elastomeric). We then move to early orientation approaches based on the hypothesis that reorientation of azo-chromophores by modulated polarized light is the sole cause of superficial patterning. At the end of the review a modern orientation approach, as proposed by our own group, is presented. This approach has high predictive power because it can explain a large pool of experimental data for different classes of azopolymers including glassy and liquid-crystalline materials. This is made possible by taking into account both the light-induced orientation process and the change of anisotropic interactions between the chromophores upon their isomerization. Last but not least, this is the only approach that provides an estimate of the light-induced stress large enough to cause plastic deformations of glassy azopolymers. Recent finite element modeling results show remarkable similarity to real patterns and even time-dependent data are well explained. With this, we claim that the puzzle is finally understood and the orientation approach is ready for its implementation for major azopolymer classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Saphiannikova
- Institute Theory of Polymers, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Vladimir Toshchevikov
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, 199004 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Nina Tverdokhleb
- Institute Theory of Polymers, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
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3
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Li Y, Jiang W, Zhou X, Long Y, Sun Y, Zeng Y, Yao X. Advances in Regulating Cellular Behavior Using Micropatterns. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2023; 96:527-547. [PMID: 38161579 PMCID: PMC10751872 DOI: 10.59249/uxoh1740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Micropatterns, characterized as distinct physical microstructures or chemical adhesion matrices on substance surfaces, have emerged as a powerful tool for manipulating cellular activity. By creating specific extracellular matrix microenvironments, micropatterns can influence various cell behaviors, including orientation, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in the use of micropatterns for cell behavior regulation. It discusses the influence of micropattern morphology and coating on cell behavior and the underlying mechanisms. It also highlights future research directions in this field, aiming to inspire new investigations in materials medicine, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering. The review underscores the potential of micropatterns as a novel approach for controlling cell behavior, which could pave the way for breakthroughs in various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Li
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School
of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National
Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral
Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R.
China
| | - Wenli Jiang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School
of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
P.R. China
| | - Xintong Zhou
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School
of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
P.R. China
| | - Yicen Long
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School
of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
P.R. China
| | - Yujia Sun
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School
of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
P.R. China
| | - Ye Zeng
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School
of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu,
P.R. China
| | - Xinghong Yao
- Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province,
Department of Radiotherapy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan
Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital
of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, P.R.
China
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4
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Urban D, Marcucci N, Wölfle CH, Torgersen J, Hjelme DR, Descrovi E. Polarization-driven reversible actuation in a photo-responsive polymer composite. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6843. [PMID: 37891157 PMCID: PMC10611746 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42590-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Light-responsive polymers and especially amorphous azopolymers with intrinsic anisotropic and polarization-dependent deformation photo-response hold great promises for remotely controlled, tunable devices. However, dynamic control requires reversibility characteristics far beyond what is currently obtainable via plastic deformation of such polymers. Here, we embed azopolymer microparticles in a rubbery elastic matrix at high density. In the resulting composite, cumulative deformations are replaced by reversible shape switching - with two reversible degrees of freedom defined uniquely by the writing beam polarization. We quantify the locally induced strains, including small creeping losses, directly by means of a deformation tracking algorithm acting on microscope images of planar substrates. Further, we introduce free-standing 3D actuators able to smoothly undergo multiple configurational changes, including twisting, roll-in, grabbing-like actuation, and even continuous, pivot-less shape rotation, all dictated by a single wavelength laser beam with controlled polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Urban
- Department of Electronic Systems, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, O.S. Bragstads plass 2b, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | - Niccolò Marcucci
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | - Christoph Hubertus Wölfle
- Institute of Materials Science, Department of Materials Engineering, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Jan Torgersen
- Institute of Materials Science, Department of Materials Engineering, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Dag Roar Hjelme
- Department of Electronic Systems, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, O.S. Bragstads plass 2b, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Emiliano Descrovi
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy.
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5
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Chen J, Jiang J, Weber J, Gimenez-Pinto V, Peng C. Shape Morphing by Topological Patterns and Profiles in Laser-Cut Liquid Crystal Elastomer Kirigami. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:4538-4548. [PMID: 36637983 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c20295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Programming shape changes in soft materials requires precise control of the directionality and magnitude of their mechanical response. Among ordered soft materials, liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) exhibit remarkable and programmable shape shifting when their molecular order changes. In this work, we synthesized, remotely programmed, and modeled reversible and complex morphing in monolithic LCE kirigami encoded with predesigned topological patterns in its microstructure. We obtained a rich variety of out-of-plane shape transformations, including auxetic structures and undulating morphologies, by combining different topological microstructures and kirigami geometries. The spatiotemporal shape-shifting behaviors are well recapitulated by elastodynamics simulations, revealing that the complex shape changes arise from integrating the custom-cut geometry with local director profiles defined by topological defects inscribed in the material. Different functionalities, such as a bioinspired fluttering butterfly, a flower bud, dual-rotation light mills, and dual-mode locomotion, are further realized. Our proposed LCE kirigami with topological patterns opens opportunities for the future development of multifunctional devices for soft robotics, flexible electronics, and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Chen
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Jinghua Jiang
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Jada Weber
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Vianney Gimenez-Pinto
- Physics and Chemistry, Department of Science, Technology and Mathematics, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101, United States
| | - Chenhui Peng
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
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Handrea-Dragan IM, Botiz I, Tatar AS, Boca S. Patterning at the micro/nano-scale: Polymeric scaffolds for medical diagnostic and cell-surface interaction applications. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 218:112730. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Huang C, Huang R, Zhang S, Sun H, Wang H, Du B, Xiao Y, Yu T, Huang W. Recent Development of Photodeformable Crystals: From Materials to Mechanisms. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2021; 2021:9816535. [PMID: 34870227 PMCID: PMC8605404 DOI: 10.34133/2021/9816535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Photodeformable materials are a class of molecules that can convert photon energy into mechanical energy, which have attracted tremendous attention in the last few decades. Owing to their unique photoinduced deformable properties, including fast light-response and diverse mechanical behaviors, photodeformable materials have exhibited great potential in many practical applications such as actuators, photoswitches, artificial muscles, and bioimaging. In this review, we sort out the current state of photodeformable crystals and classify them into six categories by molecular structures: diarylethenes, azobenzenes, anthracenes, olefins, triarylethylenes, and other systems. Three distinct light-responsive mechanisms, photocyclization, trans-cis isomerization, and photodimerization, are revealed to play significant roles in the molecular photodeformation. Their corresponding photodeformable behaviors such as twisting, bending, hopping, bursting, and curling, as well as the potential applications, are also discussed. Furthermore, the challenges and prospective development directions of photodeformable crystals are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Huang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE) & Shaanxi Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering (SIBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Rongjuan Huang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE) & Shaanxi Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering (SIBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Simin Zhang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE) & Shaanxi Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering (SIBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Haodong Sun
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE) & Shaanxi Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering (SIBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Hailan Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE) & Shaanxi Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering (SIBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Beibei Du
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE) & Shaanxi Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering (SIBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Yuxin Xiao
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE) & Shaanxi Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering (SIBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Tao Yu
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE) & Shaanxi Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering (SIBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics (FSCFE), Shaanxi Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE) & Shaanxi Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering (SIBME), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi'an 710072, China
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, China
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
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8
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Li X, Huang H, Wu B, Liao C, Wang X. Comparative study of photoinduced surface-relief-gratings on azo polymer and azo molecular glass films. RSC Adv 2021; 11:34766-34778. [PMID: 35494780 PMCID: PMC9042686 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra06111a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoinduced surface-relief-gratings (SRGs) on azo polymer and azo molecular glass films, caused by trans-cis isomerization of azo chromophores, have attracted wide interest for their intriguing nature and many possible applications in recent years. Understanding the mechanical properties of SRGs at the nanoscale is critically important for elucidating their formation mechanism and exploring their applications. In this work, a representative azo polymer (BP-AZ-CA) and a typical azo molecular glass (IAC-4) were comparatively studied for the first time concerning their properties related to SRG formation through a variety of methods. The results indicate that when inscribing SRGs on the films, IAC-4 shows a much higher efficiency for forming SRGs relative to that of BP-AZ-CA. The overall average moduli of SRGs measured by nanomechanical mapping techniques are obviously smaller compared with the moduli of the corresponding films of both materials. The moduli at different regions of SRGs are periodically varied along the grating vector direction for both BP-AZ-CA and IAC-4 gratings. The moduli at the trough regions of SRGs are always larger than those of the crests, while the moduli at the hillsides are the smallest. Distinct from BP-AZ-CA, even the moduli at the trough regions of IAC-4 SRG are smaller compared with that of the original film, and the ratio between the trough and crest moduli is significantly larger for IAC-4. These results provide deep understanding of the SRG formation mechanism and reveal the clear distinction between these two types of glassy materials for their SRG-forming behavior, which are important for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P. R. China
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P. R. China
| | - Bing Wu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P. R. China
| | - Chuyi Liao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P. R. China
| | - Xiaogong Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P. R. China
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Yang Q, Jiang N, Xu H, Zhang Y, Xiong C, Huang J. Integration of electrotaxis and durotaxis in cancer cells: Subtle nonlinear responses to electromechanical coupling cues. Biosens Bioelectron 2021; 186:113289. [PMID: 33975207 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Cells in living organisms live in multiphysics-coupled environments. There is growing evidence indicating that both exogenous electric field (EEF) and extracellular stiffness gradient (ESG) can regulate directional movement of cells, which are known as electrotaxis and durotaxis, respectively. How single cells respond to the ubiquitous electromechanical coupling cues, however, remains mysterious. Using microfluidic chip-based methodology and finite element-based electromechanical coupling design strategies, we develope an electromechanical coupling microchip system, enabling us to quantitatively investigate polarization and directional migration governed by EEF and ESG at the single cell level. It is revealed that both of electrotaxis and durotaxis nonlinearly depend on the physiological EEF and ESG, respectively. Specific combinations of EEF and ESG can subtly modify the polarization states of single cells and thus induce hyperpolarization and depolarization. Cells can integrate electrotaxis and durotaxis in response to multi-cue microenvironments via subtle mechanisms involving cooperation and competition during cellular electrosensing and mechanosensing. The work offers a platform for quantifying migration and polarization of cells driven by electromechanical cues, which is essential not only for elucidating physiological and pathological processes like embryo development, and invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, but for manipulating cell behaviors in a controllable and programmable fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunfeng Yang
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yajun Zhang
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chunyang Xiong
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jianyong Huang
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Beijing Innovation Center for Engineering Science and Advanced Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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Handrea-Dragan M, Botiz I. Multifunctional Structured Platforms: From Patterning of Polymer-Based Films to Their Subsequent Filling with Various Nanomaterials. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:445. [PMID: 33573248 PMCID: PMC7866561 DOI: 10.3390/polym13030445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an astonishing number of optoelectronic, photonic, biological, sensing, or storage media devices, just to name a few, that rely on a variety of extraordinary periodic surface relief miniaturized patterns fabricated on polymer-covered rigid or flexible substrates. Even more extraordinary is that these surface relief patterns can be further filled, in a more or less ordered fashion, with various functional nanomaterials and thus can lead to the realization of more complex structured architectures. These architectures can serve as multifunctional platforms for the design and the development of a multitude of novel, better performing nanotechnological applications. In this work, we aim to provide an extensive overview on how multifunctional structured platforms can be fabricated by outlining not only the main polymer patterning methodologies but also by emphasizing various deposition methods that can guide different structures of functional nanomaterials into periodic surface relief patterns. Our aim is to provide the readers with a toolbox of the most suitable patterning and deposition methodologies that could be easily identified and further combined when the fabrication of novel structured platforms exhibiting interesting properties is targeted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina Handrea-Dragan
- Interdisciplinary Research Institute in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, 42 Treboniu Laurian Str. 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Faculty of Physics, Babes-Bolyai University, 1 M. Kogalniceanu Str. 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Botiz
- Interdisciplinary Research Institute in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, 42 Treboniu Laurian Str. 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
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11
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Huang H, Wang Z, Li X, Yang F, Su Y, Xu J, Wang X. Directional mass transfer of azo molecular glass microsphere induced by polarized light in aqueous immersion media. RSC Adv 2021; 11:15387-15399. [PMID: 35424066 PMCID: PMC8698237 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra01904j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoinduced mass transfer of azo polymer and azo molecular glass has been intensively investigated under various light irradiation conditions simply using air as the ambient environment. In this work, in order to understand the effects of the surrounding medium on the light-induced process, azo molecular glass microspheres adhered on a substrate were immersed in water and different aqueous solutions, and their mass transfer behavior was investigated by irradiation with linearly polarized light. The microspheres in the aqueous media showed significant deformation through directional mass transfer upon light irradiation and transformed into a series of shape-anisotropic particles as revealed by microscopic observations. Compared with their counterparts upon light irradiation in air, the particles immersed in the aqueous media exhibited larger elongation parallel to the substrate and higher shape anisotropy. Optical simulation showed that this was caused by the alteration of the direction of the electric vibration of the refracted light at the medium–microsphere interface, which controlled the mass transfer behavior. On the other hand, the viscosity of the aqueous media showed no effect on the mass transfer process induced by the irradiation. The photo-thermal effect on the mass transfer behavior was ruled out as the thermal dissipation through a liquid is much more efficient than that through air. On the basis of this, this methodology was also successfully employed in the photo-fabrication of anisotropic submicron-sized periodic structures in aqueous medium. These observations can supply deep understanding of this fascinating process induced by polarized light and extend the scope of its applications. Directional mass transfer of azo molecular glass microspheres is comprehensively investigated upon polarized light irradiation in various aqueous immersion media, and the key factors to influence mass transfer and shape deformation are elucidated.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE)
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- People's Republic of China
| | - Zenan Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE)
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE)
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Physics
- State Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Quantum Physics
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- People's Republic of China
| | - Yechao Su
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- The State Key Lab of Chemical Engineering
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhong Xu
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- The State Key Lab of Chemical Engineering
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaogong Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE)
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- People's Republic of China
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12
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Yue Y, Azumi R, Norikane Y. Fatigue‐Resistant Crosslinked Azopolymers with Inhibited H‐Aggregation for Efficient Photopatterning. CHEMPHOTOCHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/cptc.202000151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Youfeng Yue
- Research Institute for Advanced Electronics and Photonics National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Tsukuba Ibaraki 305-8565 Japan
| | - Reiko Azumi
- Research Institute for Advanced Electronics and Photonics National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Tsukuba Ibaraki 305-8565 Japan
| | - Yasuo Norikane
- Research Institute for Advanced Electronics and Photonics National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Tsukuba Ibaraki 305-8565 Japan
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De Martino S, Netti PA. Dynamic azopolymeric interfaces for photoactive cell instruction. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2020; 1:011302. [PMID: 38505629 PMCID: PMC10903377 DOI: 10.1063/5.0025175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The ability to affect a wide range of biophysical properties through the use of light has led to the development of dynamic cell instructive materials. Using photoresponsive materials such as azopolymers, smart systems that use external, minimally damaging, light irradiation can be used to trigger specific surface morpho-physical properties in the presence of living cells. The interaction of light with an azopolymer film induces a mass migration phenomenon, allowing a variety of topographic patterns to be embossed on the polymeric film. Photoisomerization induces conformational changes at the molecular and macroscopic scale, resulting in light-induced variations of substrate morphological, physical, and mechanical properties. In this review, we discuss the photoactuation of azopolymeric interfaces to provide guidelines for the engineering and design of azopolymer films. Laser micropatterning for the modulation of azopolymer surfaces is examined as a way to diversify the capabilities of these polymers in cellular systems. Mass migration effects induced by azopolymer switching provides a foundation for performing a broad range of cellular manipulation techniques. Applications of azopolymers are explored in the context of dynamic culture systems, gaining insight into the complex processes involved in dynamic cell-material interactions. The review highlights azopolymers as a candidate for various applications in cellular control, including cell alignment, migration, gene expression, and others. Recent advances have underlined the importance of these systems in applications regarding three-dimensional cell culture and stem cell morphology. Azopolymers can be used not only to manipulate cells but also to probe for mechanistic studies of cellular crosstalk in response to chemical and mechanical stimuli.
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Huang H, Zhang C, Lan J, Wang Z, Wang X. Photoinduced mass transfer of azo polymers from micrometer to submillimeter studied by a real-time single particle strategy. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:9746-9757. [PMID: 33000858 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01260b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Photoinduced mass transfer of azo polymers is a fascinating function with potential applications in areas ranging from photonics and nanofabrication to cell biology. However, the true nature of this unique effect still remains elusive in many aspects due to its puzzling mechanism and lack of a way for real-time observation. This work presents a new strategy to study the photoinduced mass transfer through in situ optical microscopic observation and videoing on single particles under laser irradiation. By inspecting the shape evolution processes of the particles from the side view, both the scale and direction of the mass transfer can be well characterized in a real-time manner, which shows great advantages for carrying out the systematic investigation. The mass transfer behaviour was thus investigated using the microspheres with diameters (D) ranging from micrometer to submillimeter. The mass transfer in the direction of the electric vibration was observed to occur in different scales for azo polymers with different degrees of functionalization (DFs) controlled by the light penetration depths. With the varied combinations of particle sizes and DFs, the particles with diversified shape-anisotropy and complex morphologies were generated by the mass transfer. For the microspheres with sizes in micrometer and submillimeter scales, those formed from the azo polymers with extremely high DF (100%) and extremely low DF (1%) respectively exhibited the most efficient mass transfer to cause significant shape deformations. With the optical and thermal simulations, these observations are well rationalized by considering the optical power distribution, energy utilization efficiency and heat dissipation route. This study not only provides deep insight into the photoinduced mass transfer behavior, but also extends the mass transfer scale of the particles from micrometer to submillimeter for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Advanced Materials (MOE), Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Tran VD, Kumar S. Transduction of cell and matrix geometric cues by the actin cytoskeleton. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2020; 68:64-71. [PMID: 33075689 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Engineered culture substrates have proven invaluable for investigating the role of cell and extracellular matrix geometry in governing cell behavior. While the mechanisms relating geometry to phenotype are complex, it is clear that the actin cytoskeleton plays a key role in integrating geometric inputs and transducing these cues into intracellular signals that drive downstream biology. Here, we review recent progress in elucidating the role of the cell and matrix geometry in regulating actin cytoskeletal architecture and mechanics. We address new developments in traditional two-dimensional culture paradigms and discuss efforts to extend these advances to three-dimensional systems, ranging from nanotextured surfaces to microtopographical systems (e.g. channels) to fully three-dimensional matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien D Tran
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, USA
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, USA.
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16
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De Martino S, Cavalli S, Netti PA. Photoactive Interfaces for Spatio-Temporal Guidance of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Fate. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e2000470. [PMID: 32431096 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Patterned surfaces have proved effective in guiding stem cells commitment to a specific lineage by presenting highly ordered biophysical/biochemical cues at the cellmaterial interface. Their potency in controlling cell fate can be significantly empowered by encoding logic of space and time control of signal presentation. Here, azopolymeric photoactive interfaces are proposed to present/withdraw morphophysical signals to living cells using a green light trigger in a non-invasive spatio-temporal controlled way. To assess the potency of these dynamic platforms in controlling cell decision and fate, topography changes are actuated by light at specific times to reverse the fate of otherwise committed human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) toward osteoblastic lineage. It is first proved by dynamic change from ordered parallel patterning to flat or grid surfaces, that it is possible to induce cyclic cellular and nuclear stretches. Furthermore, by culturing hMSCs on a specific pattern known to prime them toward osteoblast lineage, the possibility to reroute or reverse stem cell fate decision by dynamic modulation of morphophysical signal is proved. To conclude, dynamic topographies can control the spatial conformation of hMSCs, modulate lineage reversal even after several weeks of culture and redirect lineage specification in response to light-induced changes in the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene De Martino
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, IIT@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, 53, Napoli, 80125, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, DICMAPI, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio, 80, Napoli, 80125, Italy
| | - Silvia Cavalli
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, IIT@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, 53, Napoli, 80125, Italy
| | - Paolo Antonio Netti
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, IIT@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Barsanti e Matteucci, 53, Napoli, 80125, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, DICMAPI, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio, 80, Napoli, 80125, Italy
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17
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Jiang J, Dhakal NP, Guo Y, Andre C, Thompson L, Skalli O, Peng C. Controlled Dynamics of Neural Tumor Cells by Templated Liquid Crystalline Polymer Networks. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e2000487. [PMID: 32378330 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The ability to control the alignment and organization of cell populations has great potential for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. A variety of approaches such as nano/microtopographical patterning, mechanical loading, and nanocomposite synthesis have been developed to engineer scaffolds able to control cellular properties and behaviors. In this work, a patterned liquid crystal polymer network (LCN) film is synthesized by using a nematic liquid crystal template in which the molecular orientations are predesigned by photopatterning technique. Various configurations of polymer networks such as linear and circular patterns are created. When neural tumor cells are plated onto the templated LCN films, the cell alignment, migration, and proliferation are directed in both linear and curvilinear fashions following the pattern of the aligned polymer chains. A complex LCN pattern with zigzag geometry is also fabricated and found to be capable of controlling cell alignment and collective cellular organization. The demonstrated control of cell dynamics and organization by LCN films with various molecular alignments opens new opportunities to design scaffolds to control cultured cell organization in a manner resembling that found in tissues and to develop novel advanced materials for nerve repair, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghua Jiang
- Department of Physics and Materials ScienceThe University of Memphis Memphis TN 38152 USA
| | - Netra Prasad Dhakal
- Department of Physics and Materials ScienceThe University of Memphis Memphis TN 38152 USA
| | - Yubing Guo
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal InstituteKent State University Kent OH 44242 USA
| | - Christian Andre
- Department of Physics and Materials ScienceThe University of Memphis Memphis TN 38152 USA
| | - Lauren Thompson
- Department of BiologyThe University of Memphis Memphis TN 38152 USA
| | - Omar Skalli
- Department of BiologyThe University of Memphis Memphis TN 38152 USA
| | - Chenhui Peng
- Department of Physics and Materials ScienceThe University of Memphis Memphis TN 38152 USA
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Salvatore M, Oscurato SL, D’Albore M, Guarino V, Zeppetelli S, Maddalena P, Ambrosio A, Ambrosio L. Quantitative Study of Morphological Features of Stem Cells onto Photopatterned Azopolymer Films. J Funct Biomater 2020; 11:E8. [PMID: 32075063 PMCID: PMC7151610 DOI: 10.3390/jfb11010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, the use of photolithography for the fabrication of structured substrates with controlled morphological patterns that are able to interact with cells at micrometric and nanometric size scales is strongly growing. A promising simple and versatile microfabrication method is based on the physical mass transport induced by visible light in photosensitive azobenzene-containing polymers (or azopolymers). Such light-driven material transport produces a modulation of the surface of the azopolymer film, whose geometry is controlled by the intensity and the polarization distributions of the irradiated light. Herein, two anisotropic structured azopolymer films have been used as substrates to evaluate the effects of topological signals on the in vitro response of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The light-induced substrate patterns consist of parallel microgrooves, which are produced in a spatially confined or over large-scale areas of the samples, respectively. The analysis of confocal optical images of the in vitro hMSC cells grown on the patterned films offered relevant information about cell morphology-i.e., nuclei deformation and actin filaments elongation-in relation to the geometry and the spatial extent of the structured area of substrates. The results, together with the possibility of simple, versatile, and cost-effective light-induced structuration of azopolymers, promise the successful use of these materials as anisotropic platforms to study the cell guidance mechanisms governing in vitro tissue formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Salvatore
- Physics Department “E. Pancini”, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (S.L.O.); (P.M.)
| | - Stefano Luigi Oscurato
- Physics Department “E. Pancini”, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (S.L.O.); (P.M.)
| | - Marietta D’Albore
- Former Temporary Researcher at Institute of Composite and Biomedical Materials, National Research Council of Italy, Viale Marconi 4, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Guarino
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Mostra D’Oltremare, Pad.20, V.le J.F. Kennedy 54, 80125 Naples, Italy; (S.Z.); (L.A.)
| | - Stefania Zeppetelli
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Mostra D’Oltremare, Pad.20, V.le J.F. Kennedy 54, 80125 Naples, Italy; (S.Z.); (L.A.)
| | - Pasqualino Maddalena
- Physics Department “E. Pancini”, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (S.L.O.); (P.M.)
| | - Antonio Ambrosio
- CNST@POLIMI—Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Pascoli 70, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Luigi Ambrosio
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Mostra D’Oltremare, Pad.20, V.le J.F. Kennedy 54, 80125 Naples, Italy; (S.Z.); (L.A.)
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Jo W, Choi J, Kang HS, Kim M, Baik S, Lee BJ, Pang C, Kim HT. Programmable Fabrication of Submicrometer Bent Pillar Structures Enabled by a Photoreconfigurable Azopolymer. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:5058-5064. [PMID: 31809014 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b19420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Anisotropic small structures found throughout living nature have unique functionalities as seen by Gecko lizards. Here, we present a simple yet programmable method for fabricating anisotropic, submicrometer-sized bent pillar structures using photoreconfiguration of an azopolymer. A slant irradiation of a p-polarized light on the pillar structure of an azopolymer simply results in a bent pillar structure. By combining the field-gradient effect and directionality of photofluidization, control of the bending shape and the curvature is achieved. With the bent pillar patterned surface, anisotropic wetting and directional adhesion are demonstrated. Moreover, the bent pillar structures can be transferred to other polymers, highlighting the practical importance of this method. We believe that this pragmatic method to fabricate bent pillars can be used in a reliable manner for many applications requiring the systematic variation of a bent pillar structure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hong Suk Kang
- Interface Materials and Chemical Engineering Research Center , Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) , Daejeon 34114 , Republic of Korea
| | | | - Sangyul Baik
- SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT) , Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon , Kyunggi-do 16419 , Republic of Korea
| | | | - Changhyun Pang
- SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT) , Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon , Kyunggi-do 16419 , Republic of Korea
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